Monday, September 26, 2011

Alan Lomax

In 1978 Alan Lomax toured the southern states making 'field recordings' of mostly amateur blues and gospel musicians.  These are a few of the performances that I particularly enjoyed.





I'm not sure what inspired the fife and drum parties like the one in the bottom clip but it is pretty freaky/I don't know what.  I also love that the gospel band is called 'The Sensational Friendly Brothers,' probably the greatest band name I've ever heard.


2 comments:

  1. s$sSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Wow. I had fun with that.

    I wish I could smoke a cigarette as beautifully as Belton Sutherland, or stare down a camera as intensely as the Sensational Friendly Brothers' drummer.

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  2. WolfMoccasinOctober 2, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    So many thoughts provoked with your choice of videos. R.L. Burnside has a most disengaging smile. I love the baby crying in the background and his response to it and the lovely pan to his well worn boots.
    The Sensational Friendly Brothers and the glaring drummer is one of those moments in life I am glad I got to experience!
    Ah, the brilliant green socks of Belton Sutherland, his singing cigarette and the well loved guitar that is telling stories of its' own.
    Unfortunately, the dance video would not play for me past a couple seconds. So in the frame, the 'rack of bones with flesh' getting down. I can only imagine the rest.
    Thanks for sharing.

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